Stakes are high as schools contest finals
Netball
The Capricorn Schools Netball League 2024 finals are set to take place this Friday and Saturday at Windhoek Gymnasium and United Netball courts. Since its launch at an opening ceremony in May, the countrywide age-group leagues have sparked excitement among players, coaches and fans, with Marlize Horn, executive of brand and corporate affairs at Capricorn Group, attending the event to show support.
This year’s league features 85 teams from 25 schools across Namibia, competing in age groups from under-12 to under-19.
The league, which has been backed by Capricorn Group since 2017, has consistently demonstrated a commitment to youth development and sporting excellence, gaining endorsement from the Namibian School Sport Union (NSSU).
The upcoming finals once again promise an intense showdown, with top schools across different regions bringing their best talent to the courts.
Windhoek Gymnasium will host most of the major matches, including the opening rounds and the finals, while some later play-off matches are also scheduled at Trustco United netball courts.
Notably, Windhoek High School returns to defend its U19 Super League title, after narrowly defeating A. Shipena 29-27 in last year’s final. The team in blue is expected to put up another strong challenge.
Schools to watch out for include Windhoek Gymnasium, who dominated last year in multiple age categories, as well as up-and-coming teams from coastal and northern regions, eager to upset the defending champions. Coaches and sponsors have all expressed confidence that this weekend will deliver some of the most competitive netball action of the year.
Friday’s match schedule at Windhoek Gymnasium (in sequence, Court A / B / C / D):
13:30-14:15, U12 WAP v Edugate / U12 Whk Gym v Elnatan / U12 Pro-Ed v WBPS / U12 Tsumeb Gym v Roots Gym.
14:15-15:00, U13 WAP v Elnatan / U13 Whk Gym v Moria / U13 Tsumeb Gym v WAP-2 / U13 Parkies v Laerskool Walvisbaai.
15:00-15:45, U14 WAP v Rehoboth High / U14 Whk Gym v Roots / U14 WHS v M&K Gertze / WBPS v Pro-Ed.
15:45-16:35, U15 Whk Gym v Okahandja SS / U15 WHS v Gobabis Gym / U15 WAP v Pro-Ed / U15 Jan Mohr v WBPS.
16:35-17:25, U17 Whk Gym v Okahandja SS / U17 Centaurus v KPS / U17 M&K Gertze v St George’s / U17 WHS v WAP.
17:30-18:20, U19 Whk Gym v Tsumeb Gym / U19 WHS v WBPS / U19 WAP v Outjo SS / U19 A Shipena v Pro-Ed.
18:30-19:15 / winners’ next round of knock-outs.
19:15-20:00 / winners’ next round of knock-outs.
• Saturday: Cup finals, bronze finals and final play-offs in each age group, at 09:40 (U12), 10:30 (U13), 11:15 (U14), 12:00 (U15), 13:00 (U17) and 14:00 (U19).